Michigan History Alive
Michigan History Alive
Bringing the stories of Michigan's history to life
About Me
Either I had a very boring teacher, or Indiana history is just incredibly dull. Whatever the reason, as a seventh grade student, Indiana history class was not one of my favorites. In my 20's, I moved to Michigan, married, and wound up in St. Ignace, where my husband was a high school guidance counselor and where we lived for 15 years.
I became a story-teller, employed by several area school districts to present weekly programs throughout the school year. I was also employed for several summers by the Michigan State Historic Parks as an historic interpreter at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City. To my amazement, I found that Michigan history had wonderful stories, full of exciting events, and absolutely fascinating characters.
So, in 1998, I developed a 12-week program to introduce my students to this wealth of true Michigan stories. I employed the use of maps and many related "artifacts." It was a great success!
Since that time, I have customized many programs for a variety of organizations and always enjoy adding new pieces of storytelling to my repertoire. I still present the 12-week program to area public schools and home school groups. I also give talks on Michigan History to various clubs and organizations. These have included historical societies, travel clubs, book clubs, DAR, Rotary, senior citizen centers, library programs, mother/daughter banquets, churches, high school history and government classes, community over-50 clubs and even an archery club!
I am so excited about Michigan History! While living in the Straits of Mackinac, I had the opportunity on a daily basis to just walk outside my door and "see" history. The fort, the Mighty Mac, and St. Helena Island Lighthouse were all visible from our deck. Marquette and Jolliet had passed our stretch of beach in their canoes. During Pontiac's War in 1763, Alexander Henry, disguised as a Chippewa, had passed also. I could have watched the British burn Fort Michilimackinac to the ground in 1781. So much history! So little time to tell the stories!
If your club, organization or school is interested in any of my programs on Michigan History, or if you have questions, please go to the Contact Me page.
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